Nintendo has finally stepped in to clear the air after weeks of speculation and confusion regarding the upcoming Switch 2 Edition games, and for anyone who loves physical media like me, the news is actually very solid.
After Nintendo revealed many upgraded versions of popular Switch titles for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, including Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Super Mario Party Jamboree, Pokémon Legends Z-A, and Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, fans were hyped but also left scratching their heads. Mainly, people weren’t sure whether the physical editions of these improved games would include a game cartridge or just the dreaded download code slips inside the box.
Thankfully, Nintendo has now made it clear, talking to Vooks, that for Nintendo-published games, the physical editions of Switch 2 games will come with an actual game cartridge that includes the full game and the new upgrade content. That means no need to redeem a code, no separate downloads, and no weird hybrid packaging. Just add to the cart and play — the way it should be.
This is a relief for collectors and players alike, especially those who like to trade or share their games. A download code-only option pretty much locks your purchase to a single user and kills the flexibility we’ve come to expect from physical gaming.
While Nintendo’s own titles are safe from the download-code thing, third-party publishers might not follow suit. Games like the upcoming Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition could still decide to include a code restriction instead of a cartridge. So if you’re eyeing any non-Nintendo games, it’s worth keeping an eye out for packaging details before pre-order the new console edition.
If you already own the base versions of some of these games, you don’t have to repurchase them. You can buy an upgrade separately, and if you’re a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscriber, some of the upgrades (like the Zelda ones) will be included at no extra cost. If not subscribed, they’ll run you about $9.99, which still isn’t bad considering what you’re getting. All in all, it’s good to see Nintendo has clarified things before misinformation spiraled out of control. Being a true Nintendo console gamer, I’ll always appreciate when they keep physical releases alive and accessible, especially in a digital-heavy era.
